The toughest, fastest cowboys and cowgirls will be at center stage this weekend as the Bay Area hosts the Grand National Rodeo and the Professional Bull Riders.

Now in its 71st year at the Cow Palace, the Grand National will feature rodeo events, a horse show, the junior livestock show, agricultural exhibitions, mechanical bull rides, Western barbecue and live country music on Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21.

Tickets for the rodeo events (bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping and more) run $14 to $44 at www.cowpalace.com. Competition hours are 7 to 10 p.m. both days.

Admission is free, however, to the livestock and horse expos, the agricultural show and the Western marketplace, which is open from 2 to 11 p.m. The Cow Palace is at 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City.

In the South Bay, 35 of the world’s best Professional Bull Riders — including top contender Cooper Davis — will stampede into San Jose’s SAP Arena on Saturday, Oct. 21, and Sunday, Oct. 22, to compete against the world’s top-ranked bucking bulls, some weighing up to a ton.

Each event starts with pyrotechnics and ends with riders being awarded points to qualify for the upcoming Las Vegas finals. At stake is $1 million in prize money, the coveted belt buckle and the title of world champion.

If BottleRock Napa’s not on your agenda, not to worry: The Bay Area's holiday weekend is packed with festivals. Find times, details, admission prices on our big festivals guide at www.mercurynews.com/entertainment. Family: The Bay Area KidFest runs all three days this holiday weekend -- Friday, Saturday and Memorial Day -- at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord. The San Ramon...